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Batman & The Shadow Cross-Over in New Comic Book Event

Batman & The Shadow will once again be paired together in a comic-book event, pitting them against an ancient evil. The Shadow/Batman comes from DC Comics and Dynamite Entertainment, using two classic characters in a new story. Given that The Shadow was a direct influence on the creation of Batman, it makes sense that the pair continue their adventures together. Writer Steve Orlando and artist Giovanni Timpano are taking the reins as they challenge the pair with the problems of morality as a vigilante.

This isn't the first time we've seen them in comics together, as the two vigilantes meet again after the Batman/Shadow story earlier this year. They've previously appeared together in Batman #253 and Batman #259, taking on mysteries together. It even saw The Shadow ultimately working out the identity of the man beneath the mask. But Batman/The Shadow saw The Joker and The Stag go up against the two vigilantes.

And while DC and Dynamite haven't outlined the story in great detail, The Shadow/Batman will be a follow-up to their previous adventures. However, it will focus on the pair attempting to work together regardless of their opinions of one another. DC and Dynamite have teased what we can expect from another adventure. It will see an ancient evil rooted beneath their feet that they must try and dispose of:

"The World's Greatest Mystery. The World's Greatest Detective. They can barely stand each other, so how will they possibly deal with the World's Greatest Evil? What legacy can two of the world's most enduring icons of justice leave once they discover an ancient evil has been living inside the world they protect for centuries, attached to its heart. Can Batman and the Shadow save the world without killing it in the process?"

There's also no mention of which villains we can expect to see in the new series. Whether it will draw from each character's rich background or if a whole villain will appear, remains to be seen. But since The Joker and The Stag appeared in the previous story, it's likely that other villains from each character's history could make an appearance. Writer Steve Orlando has suggested that The Shadow will have his own internal turmoils that he'll have to face over the course of the story:

"To dig even deeper into the pasts and motivations of the characters, to craft villains and challenges that force them to redefine themselves and grow as the fascinating, obsessed, passionate people they are, is wonderful. In Batman/Shadow, Batman faced a truth he was afraid to comprehend. In Shadow/Batman, the Shadow is finally faced with a moment he's avoided his entire life: the moment the Shadow does not know."

If the sequel is successful, will an ongoing series be produced? The previous mini-series received critical acclaim from both fans and critics alike. It would make sense that if a follow-up also has a successful reaction, to continue the streak and carry on pairing the two together. We'll have to wait and see how The Shadow/Batman plays out before a sequel is on the table, after all - neither of them might make it out alive this time.